Space frame front upper suspension connection

ABSTRACT

A front upper suspension connection for a space frame comprises a bottom surface fixedly attachable to a front lower suspension connection; a top rear mounting surface fixedly attachable to a front upper frame connection; a top front mounting surface fixedly attachable to a first elongate support member; a front strut attachment point located below the top rear mounting surface and the top front mounting surface to pivotably attach a front strut; and a lower rear mounting surface located below the top rear mounting surface fixedly attachable to a second elongate support member. The front strut attachment point can include a hole passing through the top rear mounting surface, a coaxial hole passing through the top front mounting surface, and a front strut attachment pin configured to pass through the top rear mounting surface, the top front mounting surface, and a top mounting hole integral to the front strut.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to space frames, and more particularly tospace frame front upper suspension connections, and systems, components,and methods thereof.

BACKGROUND

Conventional haul trucks, such as off-highway rear haul trucks, may usewelded steel frames that can be extremely heavy and may require manymeters of welding to fabricate a completed frame. Space frames offer alighter and stronger alternative to traditional welded steel frames,since far less steel is required. As a result, space frames offerconsiderable benefits in terms of cost, manufacturability, andperformance. For example, haul trucks with space frames comparativelycan haul larger payloads and consume less fuel.

Conventional space frame structures may use fabricated nodalconnections. Such nodal connections may be used to create space framestructures associated with static applications. However, vehicularapplications are, at least in part, dynamic in nature, and haul truckscan represent a particularly difficult application because of loadsapplied to the space frame as well as bending, twisting, and/or flexingthat can occur as the haul truck travels on various types of terrain,such as off highway terrain. Carefully designed high-strength castingsand fabrications can be required to provide appropriate stiffness andflexibility characteristics while insuring proper load transfer from thedump body to the wheels.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,183,706 (“the '706 patent”) describes a node forinterconnecting frame members of a frame. According to the '706 patent,a plurality of cup-shaped node connectors are disposed on the node body,where each of the node connectors includes a closed end attached to thenode body and an open end opposite the closed end and extending awayfrom the node body. The '706 patent also describes that a sidewallextends between and connects the closed end to the open end and a tenonis formed on the open end. According to the '706 patent, the tenon isshaped and sized to fit within a frame member, and a transition isformed between the sidewall and the tenon defining a peripheral,radially outward facing groove in cooperation with the frame member,where the groove is shaped and sized to receive a weld.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, a front upper suspension connection fabrication for aspace frame of a haul truck is disclosed. The front upper suspensionconnection fabrication can comprise a bottom surface configured toweldably attach to a front lower suspension connection fabrication; atop rear mounting surface configured to weldably attach to a front upperframe connection fabrication; a top front mounting surface configured toweldably attach to a horizontal front frame tube; a front strutattachment point located below the top rear mounting surface and the topfront mounting surface configured to pivotably attach a front strut of afront suspension system; and a lower rear mounting surface located belowthe top rear mounting surface configured to weldably attach an angledfront frame tube that connects the front upper suspension connectionfabrication to a front lower frame connection casting. The front strutattachment point can include a hole passing through the top rearmounting surface, a coaxial hole passing through the top front mountingsurface, and a front strut attachment pin configured to pass through thetop rear mounting surface, the top front mounting surface, and a topmounting hole integral to the front strut.

In another aspect, a space frame of a rear haul truck is disclosed. Thespace frame can be comprised of a first front upper suspensionconnection fabrication; and a second front upper suspension connectionfabrication spaced from the first front upper suspension connectionfabrication in a width direction of the space frame. Each of the firstand second front upper suspension connection fabrications can include abottom interface adapted to weldably attach to a front lower suspensionconnection fabrication, a rear plate having a top rear mounting surfaceadapted to weldably attach to a front upper frame connectionfabrication, and a lower rear mounting surface below the top rearmounting surface adapted to weldably attach an angled front frame tube,a front plate having a top front mounting surface adapted to weldablyattach to a horizontal front frame tube, and a front strut attachmentinterface located below the top rear mounting surface and the top frontmounting surface adapted to pivotably attach a front strut of a frontsuspension system, wherein the front strut attachment interface has afirst hole in the rear plate and a second hole in the front plate, thefirst and second holes being coaxial. The front strut attachmentinterfaces of the first and second front upper suspension connectionfabrications face outward in opposite directions in the width directionof the space frame.

And in yet another aspect, a method regarding a front upper suspensionconnection is disclosed. The method can comprise providing a top segmentof the front upper suspension connection; and providing a bottom segmentof the front upper suspension connection, the bottom segment being belowand in direct contact with the top segment. The top segment can includea top rear mounting surface of a first wall adapted to fixedly attach toa front upper frame connection, a lower rear mounting surface of thefirst wall below the top rear mounting surface adapted to fixedly attacha first elongate support member, a top front mounting surface of asecond wall spaced from the first wall adapted to fixedly attach to asecond elongate support member, and a front strut attachment interfacebelow the top rear mounting surface and the top front mounting surfaceadapted to pivotably attach a front strut of a front suspension system,wherein the front strut attachment interface has a first hole in thefirst wall and a second hole in the second, the first and second holesbeing coaxial. The bottom segment can include a bottom interface adaptedto fixedly attach to a front lower suspension connection.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a machine according to embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the machine of FIG. 1 with an operator cabinthereof removed to show a space frame and a dump body thereof accordingto embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a space frame according to embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4 is a front, side perspective view of a front upper suspensionconnection according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are bottom perspective views of portions of the frontupper suspension connection of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the front upper suspension connection of FIG.4.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are side views of the front upper suspension connection ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the space frame and dump body to showdefined contact points according to embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings and with specific reference to FIG. 1 andFIG. 2, these figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a machine10. Machine 10 may be a mobile machine that performs some type ofoperation associated with an industry such as mining, construction, orany other industry known in the art. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 andFIG. 2, machine 10 may be an earth moving machine, particularly, anoff-highway rear haul truck 10.

Machine 10 may have a space frame 20 supported by front wheels 14 andrear wheels 16 (including respective tires). The front and rear wheels14, 16 may be connected to space frame 20 by front suspension membersand rear suspension systems, respectively. Machine 10 may also include abed or body 30 supported by the space frame 20. Such bed or body 30 maybe referred to herein as a dump body 30. The dump body 30 can beconfigured as a receptacle to receive hauling material.

A rear portion 34 of the dump body 30 can be pivotably coupled orattached to a portion (including portions) at a rear 24 of the spaceframe 20. Discussed in more detail below, portions of the dump body 30between the rear portion 34 and a front portion 36 of the dump body 30can be movably positioned relative to respective portions of the spaceframe 20 to support the dump body 30 on the space frame 20 at a restposition of the dump body 30. The rest position of the dump body 30 maybe considered as positioning of the dump body 30 such that the frontportion 36 of the dump body 30 is at a lower-most position (i.e., notraised). The dump body 30 can be pivoted at the rear portion 34 aboutthe rear 24 of the space frame 20 to raise or lower the portion of thedump body 30 in front of the pivot (and hence move the portion of thedump body 30 behind the pivot in the opposite direction). Such pivotingof the dump body 30 to raise the front portion 36 of the dump body 30can be to dump content from within the dump body 30. Likewise, pivotingof the dump body 30 to lower the front portion 36 of the dump body 30 tothe rest position can be to receive content in the dump body 30.

Machine 10 may have an operator cabin 18 supported by the space frame 20at a front of the space frame 20. Machine 10 may also be equipped with asteering mechanism and controls to move the machine 10 and controls toraise and lower dump body 30. The steering mechanism and the controlsmay be located within the operator cabin 18 of the machine 10.

Machine 10 may have a prime mover (not expressly shown) supported by thespace frame 20. Generally, the prime mover may be provided in a space 21of the space frame 20 at a front of the space frame 20. The prime movermay be configured to propel the front and rear wheels 14, 16 in theforward or rearward direction. The prime mover may be lengthwise alignedon space frame 20 along a travel direction of the machine 10. Oneskilled in the art will recognize, however, that the prime mover may bealigned transversally. In one exemplary embodiment, the prime mover maybe an internal combustion engine, which may be a two-stroke orfour-stroke diesel engine, for instance. One skilled in the art willrecognize, however, that the prime mover may be any other type ofinternal combustion engine, such as a gasoline engine or a gaseousfuel-powered engine. The prime mover may be connected to front and/orrear wheels 14, 16 via other components such as a drive train (notshown) to transfer motive power to move the front and/or rear wheels 14,16 in a forward or rearward direction.

Exhaust from the prime mover may be output from one or more exhaustoutputs (not expressly shown). Optionally, the one or more exhaustoutputs may be provided generally between the operator cabin 18 and afront wall 37 of the dump body 30 such that exhaust is provided towardat least a predetermined portion of the front wall 37. A coupling (e.g.,bellows) may be provided to connect the one or more exhaust outputs tothe front wall 37 of the dump body 30, for instance, to a heatingchannel provided in or on the front wall 37 of the dump body 30 to heatthe material carried in the dump body 30.

In general, a space frame according to embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter, such as space frame 20, may be a frame that includesstructural members connected to each other at nodes and/or joints. Thestructural members can include hollow tubes and/or solid tubes, and insome instances can be connected according to a triangulated structural.The structural members can be made of metal, metal alloys, or reinforcedcomposite materials, for instance.

FIG. 3 is a more detailed view of the space frame 20. As shown, thespace frame 20 can include a pair of rear frame connections 210 at therear 24 of the space frame 20, a pair of center lower frame connections220, a center upper horizontal frame connection 225, a pair of centerupper frame connections 230, a pair of center upper frame nodalconnections 240, a pair of front upper frame connections 250, a pair offront lower frame connections 260, a front upper frame connection 270, apair of front upper suspension connections 280, and a front lowersuspension connection 290. Though the foregoing connections aredescribed as pairs, the connections of a pair may not be identical. Forinstance, the connections of a pair may be symmetrical, generally, butnot necessarily identical. The foregoing connections can be castings orfabrications. In general, a casting may refer to a connection that isnot welded to another support component of the space frame 20, and afabrication may refer to a connection that is welded to another supportcomponent of the space frame 20.

The center lower frame connections 220 and corresponding connections canbe as set forth in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/663,892 filed Oct. 25,2019 (Case 19-0767); the center upper frame connection 225 andcorresponding connections can be as set forth in U.S. application Ser.No. 16/663,930 filed Oct. 25, 2019 (Case 19-0768); the center upperframe connections 230 and corresponding connections can be as set forthin U.S. application Ser. No. 16/664,042 filed Oct. 25, 2019 (Case19-0773); the center upper frame nodal connections 240 and correspondingconnections can be as set forth in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/663,955filed Oct. 25, 2019 (Case 19-0771); the front upper frame connections250 and corresponding connections can be as set forth in U.S.application Ser. No. 16/664,010 filed Oct. 25, 2019 (Case 19-0772); thefront lower frame connections 260 and corresponding connections can beas set forth in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/664,104 filed Oct. 25, 2019(Case 19-0762); and/or the front lower suspension connection 290 andcorresponding connections can be as set forth in U.S. application Ser.No. 16/664,169 filed Oct. 25, 2019 (Case 19-0760). The foregoingapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The space frame 20 can also include a plurality of elongate supportmembers, such as elongate support members 201, elongate support members206, and elongate support members 209. Elongate support members,according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, can be in theform of rods and/or tubes, circular or square in cross section, forinstance, where some or all of the rods and/or tubes may be solid orhollow.

Each elongate support member 201 can be provided between the rear frameconnections 210 and the front upper frame connection 270 in a top planview of the space frame 20. More specifically, each elongate supportmember 201 can be provided between the center upper horizontal frameconnection 225 and one of the rear frame connections 210. Further, eachelongate support member 201 can extend lengthwise generallyhorizontally, in this case rearward from the center upper horizontalframe connection 225 at a positive acute angle relative to a horizontalplane running through the front wheels 14 and the rear wheels 16. Inthat the elongate support members 201 are provided at an outer portionof the space frame 20 in a width direction of the space frame 20, theelongate support members 201 may be considered outer elongate supportmembers 201. As an example, the outer elongate support members 201 maybe outer frame tubes.

Each rear frame connection 210, which may be a casting, can have a rearsupport 211 and a rear suspension node 215. Discussed in more detailbelow, the rear support 211 can directly support the dump body 30, andthe rear suspension node 215 can be coupled to a rear suspension member115 of the rear suspension system. The rear frame connections 210 canalso be coupled to a plurality of elongate support members, includingelongate support members 201. According to one or more embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter, each of the rear frame connections 210 canbe seven-point connections. For instance, according to embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter, the rear frame connections 210 andcorresponding connections can be as set forth in U.S. application Ser.No. 16/663,815 filed Oct. 25, 2019 (Case 19-0764), which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

The rear support 211 can be configured as a pivot pin boss with a pivotpin bore or opening 212. According to one or more embodiments, an outersurface of the rear support 211 (i.e., pivot pin boss) and the pivot pinbore 212 can be cylindrical. An axis of the pivot pin bore 212 canextend in a width direction of the space frame 20. Moreover, the axes ofthe pivot pin bores 212 from the rear supports 211 of the pair of rearframe connections 210 may be aligned with each other. That is, the axesof the pivot pin bores 212 can be coaxial or common. The pivot pin bore212 can be configured to receive a pivot pin of a pivot pin interface213 such that the pivot pin interface 213 is pivotally coupled to therear support 211 via the pivot pin bore 212 and the pivot pin interface213 can pivot or rotate about the axes of the pivot pin bore 212 and thepivot pin of the pivot pin interface 213. Discussed in more detailbelow, the pivot pin interface 213 can also be coupled to a bottom 35 ofthe dump body 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, the front upper frame connection 270 can be fixedlycoupled to the front upper suspension connections 280, and a bottom ofthe front upper frame connection 270 can be fixedly coupled to the frontupper frame connections 250. Additionally, the front upper frameconnection 270, which may be a fabrication, can have a body with a pairof rocker attachment interfaces 272 on a top surface thereof. Accordingto one or more embodiments, the front upper frame connection 270 andcorresponding connections can be as set forth in U.S. application Ser.No. 16/663,849 filed Oct. 25, 2019 (Case 19-0766), which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

The rocker attachment interfaces 272 can be spaced from each other in awidth direction of the space frame 20, for instance, provided atopposite outer lateral edges of the body of the front upper frameconnection 270, such as shown in FIG. 3. Each rocker attachmentinterface 272 can have a pivot pin bore configured to receive a pivotpin. Optionally, the pivot pin can be considered part of the rockerattachment interface 272. An axis of rotation for the pivot pin bore andthe pivot pin can run horizontally or substantially horizontally in alength direction of the space frame 20. Moreover, the axes of rotationfor the rocker attachment interfaces 272 can be parallel to each other.

Each rocker attachment interface 272 can have rotatably or pivotallyattached thereto a support rocker 274 via the pivot pin. In that therocker attachment interfaces 272 can be spaced apart from each other inthe width direction of the space frame 20, so too can be the supportrockers 274. Moreover, the support rockers 274 can rotate or pivotlaterally or in a width direction of the space frame 20 about therespective axes of rotation defined by the rocker attachment interfaces272.

According to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, each supportrocker 274 can have an upward-facing contact surface 275. Theupward-facing contact surface 275 can be concave, for instance,semi-cylindrical, elliptical, or multi-planar. Additionally, theupward-facing contact surface 275 can be or include a padding. Accordingto embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the support rocker 274and/or components thereof, can be according to U.S. application Ser. No.16/663,512 filed Oct. 25, 2019 (Case 18-1266) and/or U.S. applicationSer. No. 16/663,551 filed Oct. 25, 2019 (Case 19-0783), each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Discussed in moredetail below, the support rockers 274, particularly the upward-facingcontact surfaces 275 thereof, can receive a portion of correspondingvertical support structures 370 of the dump body 30 (see FIG. 10).

Referring now to FIGS. 4-9, the front upper suspension connections 280,which can be fabrications, can be elongate with a height or lengthgreater than a width (in the width direction of the space frame 20) anda thickness (in the length direction of the space frame 20). The frontupper suspension connections 280 can have a first wall 2802, a secondwall 2810 spaced from and opposite the first wall 2802, and a bottominterface or surface 2820. The first wall 2802 may be referred to hereinas a rear wall, and the second wall 2810 may be referred to herein as afront wall. Moreover, the first wall 2802 and the second wall 2810 canbe plates.

The first wall 2802 can have a top rear mounting surface 2804 and alower rear mounting surface 2806, which may be below the top rearmounting surface 2804. The second wall 2810 can have a top frontmounting surface 2812. Optionally, the top front mounting surface 2812can be at a same height as the top rear mounting surface 2804. Accordingto one or more embodiments, the first wall 2802 and the second wall 2810can be parallel to each other. Thus, the top rear mounting surface 2804and the lower rear mounting surface 2806 may be parallel to the topfront mounting surface 2812.

Each front upper suspension connection 280 can also have a front strutattachment interface or point 2815. The front strut attachment interface2815 can be located below the top rear mounting surface 2804 and the topfront mounting surface 2812. Additionally or alternatively, the frontstrut attachment interface 2815 can be at a same height as the lowerrear mounting surface 2806. According to one or more embodiments, thefront strut attachment interface 2815 can face outward, for instance,for lateral access. Thus, in the case of the two front upper suspensionconnections 280, the front strut attachment interfaces 2815 thereof canface outward in the width direction of the space frame 20, in oppositedirections, for instance.

The front strut attachment interface 2815 can include a first hole oropening 2803, which may be provided in the first wall 2802, a secondhole or opening 2811, which may be provided in the second wall 2810. Thefirst hole 2803 can be coaxial with the second hole 2811. A front strutattachment pin 2816 can also be provided. The front strut attachment pin2816 can be adapted to pass through the first hole 2803, the second hole2811, and a top mounting hole 122 of the front strut 121.

According to one or more embodiments, the front upper suspensionconnection 280 can have a top segment and a bottom segment. An interface281 can delineate a boundary between the top and bottom segments. Thebottom segment can be below the top segment and, optionally, may be indirect contact with the top segment. According to one or moreembodiments, the top segment and the bottom segment can be integral orfabricated in one piece.

The top segment can have the top rear mounting surface 2804, the topfront mounting surface 2412, the front strut attachment interface 2815,and the lower rear mounting surface 2806. The bottom segment can havethe bottom interface 2820. Optionally, the bottom segment can also havean attachment point or interface 2822. The attachment interface 2822 canbe below the front strut attachment interface 2815. Moreover, theattachment interface 2822 can be comprised of spaced apart walls havingrespective openings or holes. The openings may be coaxial.

The bottom surface of the bottom interface 2820 can be adapted to befixedly attached (e.g., weldably attached) to front lower suspensionconnection 290. According to one or more embodiments, the bottom surface2820 can have a width less than a width of the corresponding surface ofthe front lower suspension connection 290 to which the bottom surface ofthe bottom interface 2820 is fixedly attached.

The top rear mounting surface 2804 can be adapted to be fixedly attached(e.g., weldably attached) to front upper frame connection 270. Forexample, the top rear mounting surface 2804 can be fixedly attached to aforward flat mounting surface of the front upper frame connection 270. Aforward support plate of the front upper frame connection 270 may alsobe provided in contact with the front upper suspension connection 280,for instance, extending perpendicular to the forward flat mountingsurface past the first wall 2802 and the second wall 2810.

The top front mounting surface 2812 can be adapted to be fixedlyattached (e.g., weldably attached) to elongate support member 206.Optionally, the elongate support member 206 can be square in crosssection and/or may extend horizontally or substantially horizontally(e.g., 1-2 degrees from horizontal) from the top front mounting surface2812.

The lower rear mounting surface 2806 can be adapted to have fixedlyattached (e.g., weldably attached) thereto elongate support member 209.As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, for instance, the elongate support member 209can extend from the lower rear mounting surface 2806 rearward at anangle. The angle may be acute relative to vertical in a side view of thefront upper suspension connection 280. Thus, in one or more embodiments,the elongate support member 209 can be considered an angled elongatesupport member 209, for instance, an angled front frame tube. Theelongate support member 209 may be fixedly attached to front lower frameconnection 260.

The front strut attachment interface 2815 can be adapted to pivotallyattach the front strut 121, for instance, by way of the first hole 2803,the second hole 2811, and the front strut attachment pin 2816 providedtherethrough and through the top mounting hole 122 of the front strut121. A cutout or curved portion or portions below the first hole 2803and the second hole 2811 can be to accommodate a neck portion of thefront strut 121.

Turning now to FIG. 10, the dump body 30 can have, on the bottom 35thereof, a rear pivot support 310 and a pair of flat contact surfaces301, and on the front wall 37 thereof, a pair of vertical supportstructures 370.

The rear pivot support 310 can be provided at the rear portion 34 of thedump body 30, such as shown in FIG. 10. The rear pivot support 310 canhave a pair of rear pivots 311. The rear pivots 311 can be spaced apartfrom each other in a width or lateral direction of the dump body 30,such as shown in FIG. 10. The rear pivot support 310 can also include across-member 314, which can be provided between the rear pivots 311,fixedly connected to or part of the rear pivots 311 (i.e., integraland/or one-piece with).

The rear pivot support 310 can be fixedly coupled to the bottom 35 ofthe dump body 30. For example, the rear pivot support 310 can be weldedto the bottom 35 of the dump body 30. More specifically, according toone or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, each rear pivot311 can be welded to a corresponding longitudinal body support member377 on the bottom of the dump body 30. As shown in FIG. 10, forinstance, each rear pivot 311 can be welded in-line with thecorresponding longitudinal body support member 377. Thus, the rear pivot311 can be considered as part of the longitudinal body support member377 (i.e., integral and/or one-piece with).

Each rear pivot 311 can also include a plurality of cut-outs, forinstance, two cut-outs, spaced apart from each other in a lengthdirection of the dump body 30. Each cut-out can receive or accept atransverse body support member 378. Moreover, the cut-outs of one of therear pivots 311 can receive different transverse body support members378, for instance, adjacent transverse body support members 378, such asshown in FIG. 10. Additionally, as shown, each transverse body supportmember 378 can extend through one cut-out of one rear pivot 311 andthrough an opposing cut-out of the other rear pivot 311.

According to one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter,the rear pivots 311 can also include an attachment interface 312 on anouter side surface thereof, such as shown in FIG. 10. As a non-limitingexample, the attachment interface 312 can include a pair of projectionsconfigured to mate with corresponding notches of the pivot pin interface213. The rear pivot support 310 and corresponding connections can be asset forth in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/663,627 filed Oct. 25, 2019(Case 19-0763), which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

The rear pivots 311 can be pivotally coupled to the rear supports 211 ofthe space frame 20 via the pivot pin interface 213. More specifically,for each rear pivot 311/rear support 211 pair, the rear support 211 canbe provided in a pivot bore of the rear pivot 311 (e.g., between the twopivot bore portions of a single rear pivot 311) such that the pivot bore212 of the rear support 211 is aligned with the pivot bore and such thata pin of the pivot pin interface 213 extends through the pivot bore 212of the rear support 211 and the pivot bore of the rear pivot 311. An arm214 of the pivot pin interface 213 can have one or more notchesconfigured to be mated with corresponding one or more projections of theattachment interface 312.

The pivot pin interface 213 can be held in place by way of theinterconnection between the notches of the pivot pin interface 213 andthe projections of the attachment interface 312. Moreover, the arm 214can be fixedly coupled to the attachment interface 312. For example, abracket can be fixedly or removably coupled to the projections, over thearm 214 of the pivot pin interface 213, to prevent the pivot pininterface 213 from moving laterally outward from the rear pivot 311. Thebracket can be fixed to the projections via bolts, rivets, or welding asnon-limiting examples.

The bottom 35 of the dump body 30 can include the plurality of flatcontact surfaces 301, such as shown in FIG. 10. The flat contactsurfaces 301 may be in the form of a plate, such as a rectangular orsquare plate, though embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are notlimited to the foregoing geometries. Optionally, the flat contactsurfaces 301 can have a chamfered portion on a bottom edge thereof. Theflat contact surfaces 301 can be provided generally at a middle portionof the dump body 30. In a top plan view of the dump body 30, the pair offlat contact surfaces 301 can be between the rear pivot support 310 andthe pair of vertical support structures 370 in the length direction ofthe dump body 30. Additionally, the flat contact surfaces 301 can beprovided on corresponding longitudinal support body members 377. Forinstance, the flat contact surfaces 301 can be provided on inward-facingsurfaces of the longitudinal support body members 377. Thus, inembodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the flat contact surfaces301 can be vertically-oriented, such as shown in FIG. 10. Moreover, theflat contact surface 301 on one longitudinal support body member 377 canbe spaced apart from the flat contact surface 301 on the opposinglongitudinal support body member 377 in the width direction of the dumpbody 30. The flat contact surfaces 301 can be coupled to thelongitudinal support body members 377, for instance, by welding, rivets,or bolts, as non-limiting examples.

According to one or more embodiments, each flat contact surface 301 canbe comprised of a first flat contact surface portion and a second flatcontact surface portion spaced from the first flat contact surfaceportion in the length direction of the dump body 30, such as shown inFIG. 10. Optionally, the first and second flat contact surface portionsof the flat contact surface 301 may be of the same configuration. Ofcourse, each flat contact surface 301, according to one or moreembodiments of the disclosed subject matter, may be represented by asingle flat contact surface (e.g., a single plate). For example, onlyone of the first or second flat contact surface portions shown in FIG.10 may constitute the flat contact surface 301.

Discussed in more detail below, when the dump body 30 is in a loweredposition (i.e., rest position), the flat contact surfaces 301 attachedto the dump body 30 can be positioned as shown in FIG. 10. That is, theflat contact surfaces 301 can be provided adjacent to outer or lateralsides of the outer elongate support members 201. According to one ormore embodiments, the flat contact surfaces 301 can be parallel to theouter elongate support members 201.

The vertical support structures 370 of the dump body 30 can extend froma front face of front wall 37 of the dump body 30. The vertical supportstructures 370 can be fixed to the front face of the front wall 37, forinstance, via welding. The vertical support structures 370 can be spacedapart from each other in the width direction of the dump body 30.According to one or more embodiments, the vertical support structures370 can be centered on opposite sides of a vertical centerline of thedump body 30 in a front view of the machine 10, such as shown in FIG. 2.The vertical support structures 370 can be as set forth in U.S.application Ser. No. 16/663,825 filed Oct. 25, 2019 (Case 19-0770),which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Vertical support structures 370 can be vertical in at least the frontview of the dump body 30. Depending upon the configuration of the frontwall 37 of the dump body 30, in a side view of the dump body 30 thevertical support structures 370 may be generally vertical, for instance,at an angle 10 degrees or less from vertical.

According to one or more embodiments, the vertical support structures370 can extend through a horizontal support structure 375, which canalso be fixed (e.g., welded) to the front face of the front wall 37.Intersecting surfaces of the horizontal support structure 375 and eachvertical support structure 370 can be fixedly attached via welding, forinstance. The horizontal support structure 375 can be as set forth inU.S. application Ser. No. 16/663,825 filed Oct. 25, 2019 (Case 19-0770),which, as noted above, is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

Each vertical support structure 370 can have a down-facing contactsurface 371. According to one or more embodiments, the down-facingcontact surface 371 can be convex, for instance, semi-cylindrical,elliptical, or multi-planar. The down-facing contact surfaces 371 can beconfigured to be received or seated in the upward-facing contactsurfaces 275 of the support rockers 274. Unlike the support rockers 274,the vertical support structures 370, themselves, do not pivot.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As noted above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to spaceframe front upper suspension connections, and systems, components, andmethods thereof.

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can provide a lightweight,durable machine configuration with a reliable support definition of loadpoints between the dump body 30 and the space frame 20, for instance, inlight of dimensional variations due to tolerances and/or componentdeflection.

In terms of components of the space frame 20, the space frame 20 caninclude a pair of the front upper suspension connections 280. Each frontupper suspension connection 280, which may be a fabrication, can beelongate with a height or length greater than a width (in the widthdirection of the space frame 20) and a thickness (in the lengthdirection of the space frame 20). The front upper suspension connections280 can have a first wall 2802, a second wall 2810 spaced from andopposite the first wall 2802, and a bottom interface or surface 2820.

According to one or more embodiments, the front upper suspensionconnection 280 can have a top segment and a bottom segment. An interface281 can delineate a boundary between the top and bottom segments. Thebottom segment can be below the top segment and, optionally, may be indirect contact with the top segment. According to one or moreembodiments, the top segment and the bottom segment can be integral orfabricated in one piece.

The top segment can have the top rear mounting surface 2804, the topfront mounting surface 2812, the front strut attachment interface 2815,and the lower rear mounting surface 2806. The bottom segment can havethe bottom interface 2820. Optionally, the bottom segment can also havean attachment point or interface 2822. The attachment interface 2822 canbe below the front strut attachment interface 2815. Moreover, theattachment interface 2822 can be comprised of spaced apart walls havingrespective openings or holes. The openings may be coaxial.

The bottom surface of the bottom interface 2820 can be fixedly attached(e.g., weldably attached) to front lower suspension connection 290.According to one or more embodiments, the bottom interface 2820 can havea width less than a width of the corresponding surface of the frontlower suspension connection 290 to which the bottom surface of thebottom interface 2820 is fixedly attached.

The top rear mounting surface 2804 can be fixedly attached (e.g.,weldably attached) to front upper frame connection 270. For example, thetop rear mounting surface 2804 can be fixedly attached to a forward flatmounting surface of the front upper frame connection 270. A forwardsupport plate of the front upper frame connection 270 may also beprovided in contact with the front upper suspension connection 280, forinstance, extending perpendicular to the forward flat mounting surfacepast the first wall 2802 and the second wall 2810.

The top front mounting surface 2812 can be fixedly attached (e.g.,weldably attached) to elongate support member 206. Optionally, theelongate support member 206 can be square in cross section and/or mayextend horizontally or substantially horizontally (e.g., 1-2 degreesfrom horizontal) from the top front mounting surface 2812.

The lower rear mounting surface 2806 can have fixedly attached (e.g.,weldably attached) thereto elongate support member 209. The elongatesupport member 209 can extend from the lower rear mounting surface 2806rearward at an angle. The angle may be acute relative to vertical in aside view of the front upper suspension connection 280. Thus, in one ormore embodiments, the elongate support member 209 can be considered anangled elongate support member 209, for instance, an angled front frametube. The elongate support member 209 may be fixedly attached to frontlower frame connection 260.

The front strut attachment interface 2815 can pivotally attach the frontstrut 121, for instance, by way of the first hole 2803, the second hole2811, and the front strut attachment pin 2816 provided therethrough andthrough the top mounting hole 122 of the front strut 121. A cutout orcurved portion or portions below the first hole 2803 and the second hole2811 can be to accommodate a neck portion of the front strut 121.

According to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the dump body30 can operatively contact the space frame 20 according to apredetermined contact arrangement. For example, embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter can provide for a six-point contact arrangementbetween the dump body 30 and the space frame 20. According toembodiments of the disclosed subject matter, such contact arrangementcan be provided when the dump body 30 is in a rest position. Restposition as used herein can mean that the dump body 30 is in alower-most or fully down position and not raised by the lift cylinders125, which may be coupled to the center lower frame connections 220.

Referring to FIG. 10, which shows an exploded view of the space frame 20and the dump body 30 of the machine 10, a first pair of contact pointscan be provided by the rear supports 211 of the space frame 20 and therear pivots 311 of the rear pivot supports 310 of the dump body 30. Eachrear support 211 can be pivotally connected to the dump body 30 via therear pivot 311. Such connection can allow the front portion 36 of thedump body 30 to be raised and lowered between upper-most and lower-mostpositions via rotation about the common pivot axis created by theconnection between the rear supports 211 and the rear pivots 311.

A second pair of contact points can be provided by the positioning ofthe flat contact surfaces 301 relative to the elongate support members201. In particular, the flat contact surfaces 301, which notably can beon or part of the dump body 30 and not the space frame 20, can beprovided adjacent to outer or lateral sides of the elongate supportmembers 201, such as shown in FIG. 10. As noted above, the flat contactsurfaces 301 may be positioned parallel to the elongate support members201. Additionally, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter, the flat contact surfaces 301 can contact the elongatesupport members 201. Such positioning of the flat contact surfaces 301can be when the dump body 30 is in the lower-most or rest position.Moreover, such positioning of the flat contact surfaces 301 canaccommodate for lateral or horizontal forces from the corresponding theelongate support members 201 of the space frame 20. Additionally, asnoted above, the flat contact surfaces 301 may have a chamfered portionon a bottom edge thereof. Such chamfered portion can aid in thecentering of the dump body 30 when the dump body 30 is transitioned tothe rest or fully down position.

A third pair of contact points can be provided by the positioning of thevertical support structures 370, particularly the down-facing contactsurfaces 371 thereof, removably on the support rockers 274, particularlythe upward-facing contact surfaces 275 thereof. According to embodimentsof the disclosed subject matter, the down-facing contact surface 371 canbe removably seated on the upward-facing contact surface 275.Additionally, in a front view of the machine 10 a vertical centerlineaxis of the down-facing contact surface 371 of each of the verticalsupport structures 370 can be offset from the axis of rotation (i.e.,pivot axis) of a corresponding one of the support rockers 274. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2, the vertical centerline axis of thedown-facing contact surface 371 can be offset inward in a widthdirection of the machine 10 relative to the axis of rotation for thesupport rocker 274.

The vertical support structures 370, particularly the down-facingcontact surfaces 371 when contacting the upward-facing contact surfaces275 of the support rockers 274, can transfer loading through the spaceframe 20 to the front suspension system and the front wheels 14.Moreover, the vertical support structures 370 can provide support forhorizontal components of force vectors with respect to the dump body 30load being transferred through the space frame 20 and the frontsuspension system to the front wheels 14. Additionally, because thesupport rockers 274 can pivot laterally and independently of each other,and because both the support rockers 274 and the vertical supportstructures 370 have cooperating contact surfaces (i.e., upward-facingcontact surfaces 275 and down-facing contact surfaces 371,respectively), proper seating between the vertical support structures370 and the support rockers 274 can be maintained, particularly when thedump body 30 is in the at-rest position, even when the machine 10 ismoving, for instance. Such arrangement, as diagrammatically shown inFIG. 2, can thus provide an even load distribution LD with respect toeach side of the support arrangement (i.e., side to side or laterally).

Additionally shown in FIG. 2, in a front view the support rocker274/vertical support structure 370 combinations can be located alonglongitudinal axes of respective front struts 121 connected to respectivefront suspension members 120 on same sides of the space frame 20. Forexample, the pivot axis of the support rocker 274 may be aligned with alongitudinal axis a corresponding front strut 121. The longitudinal axescan intersect at a point CL₁ at a vertical centerline at a top of thedump body 30. Of course, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter arenot so limited, and the longitudinal axis of the front strut 121 may notbe aligned with the support rocker 274/vertical support structure 370combination, such as the pivot axis of the support rocker 274. Alsoshown in FIG. 2, longitudinal axes of additional suspension members onopposite sides of the space frame 20 can intersect at a point CL₂ at thesame vertical centerline of the machine 10 as point CL₁. The arrangementof the third pair of contact points, therefore, can uniformly transferload from the dump body 30 through the support rockers 274 and the spaceframe 20 to the front suspension system.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown anddescribed with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may becontemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, assemblies,systems, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of whatis disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within thescope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims andany equivalents thereof.

1. A front upper suspension connection fabrication for a space frame ofa haul truck comprising: a bottom surface configured to weldably attachto a front lower suspension connection fabrication; a top rear mountingsurface configured to weldably attach to a front upper frame connectionfabrication; a top front mounting surface configured to weldably attachto a horizontal front frame tube; a front strut attachment point locatedbelow the top rear mounting surface and the top front mounting surfaceconfigured to pivotably attach a front strut of a front suspensionsystem, wherein the front strut attachment point includes: a holepassing through the top rear mounting surface, a coaxial hole passingthrough the top front mounting surface, and a front strut attachment pinconfigured to pass through the top rear mounting surface, the top frontmounting surface, and a top mounting hole integral to the front strut;and a lower rear mounting surface located below the top rear mountingsurface configured to weldably attach an angled front frame tube thatconnects the front upper suspension connection fabrication to a frontlower frame connection casting.
 2. The front upper suspension connectionfabrication of claim 1, wherein the front upper suspension connectionfabrication has a height greater than a width and a thickness.
 3. Thefront upper suspension connection fabrication of claim 1, wherein thebottom surface has a width less than a width of the front uppersuspension connection fabrication at the top rear mounting surface. 4.The front upper suspension connection fabrication of claim 1, whereinthe top rear mounting surface and the lower rear mounting surface are ofa rear wall of the front upper suspension connection fabrication, andwherein the top front mounting surface is of a front wall of the frontupper suspension connection fabrication opposite the rear wall.
 5. Thefront upper suspension connection fabrication of claim 1, wherein thefront strut attachment point and the lower rear mounting surface are ata same height along a length of the front upper suspension connectionfabrication.
 6. The front upper suspension connection fabrication ofclaim 1, wherein the front strut attachment point faces outward.
 7. Thefront upper suspension connection fabrication of claim 1, furthercomprising a top segment and a bottom segment, wherein the top segmenthas the top rear mounting surface, the top front mounting surface, thefront strut attachment point, and the lower rear mounting surface, andthe bottom segment has the bottom surface, and wherein the bottomsegment further includes an attachment point, the attachment point beingbelow the front strut attachment point.
 8. A space frame of a rear haultruck comprising: a first front upper suspension connection fabrication;and a second front upper suspension connection fabrication spaced fromthe first front upper suspension connection fabrication in a widthdirection of the space frame, wherein each of the first and second frontupper suspension connection fabrications includes: a bottom interfaceadapted to weldably attach to a front lower suspension connectionfabrication, a rear plate having a top rear mounting surface adapted toweldably attach to a front upper frame connection fabrication, and alower rear mounting surface below the top rear mounting surface adaptedto weldably attach an angled front frame tube, a front plate having atop front mounting surface adapted to weldably attach to a horizontalfront frame tube, and a front strut attachment interface located belowthe top rear mounting surface and the top front mounting surface adaptedto pivotably attach a front strut of a front suspension system, whereinthe front strut attachment interface has a first hole in the rear plateand a second hole in the front plate, the first and second holes beingcoaxial, and wherein the front strut attachment interfaces of the firstand second front upper suspension connection fabrications face outwardin opposite directions in the width direction of the space frame.
 9. Thespace frame of claim 8, wherein each of the first and second front uppersuspension connection fabrications further includes a front strutattachment pin passing through the first hole in the rear plate, thesecond hole in the front plate, and a top mounting hole integral to thefront strut.
 10. The space frame of claim 8, wherein, for each of thefirst and second front upper suspension connection fabrications theangled front frame tube connects to a front lower frame connectioncasting.
 11. The space frame of claim 8, wherein each of the first andsecond front upper suspension connection fabrications has a heightgreater than a width and a thickness.
 12. The space frame of claim 8,wherein the bottom interface of each of the first and second front uppersuspension connection fabrications has a width less than a width at thetop rear mounting surface.
 13. The space frame of claim 8, wherein, foreach of the first and second front upper suspension connectionfabrications the front strut attachment interface and the lower rearmounting surface are at a same height.
 14. The space frame of claim 8,wherein each of the first and second front upper suspension connectionfabrications further includes a top segment and a bottom segment belowand contacting the top segment, and wherein the top segment has the toprear mounting surface, the top front mounting surface, the front strutattachment interface, and the lower rear mounting surface, and thebottom segment has the bottom interface.
 15. A method regarding a frontupper suspension connection comprising: providing a top segment of thefront upper suspension connection; and providing a bottom segment of thefront upper suspension connection, the bottom segment being below and indirect contact with the top segment, wherein the top segment includes: atop rear mounting surface of a first wall adapted to fixedly attach to afront upper frame connection, a lower rear mounting surface of the firstwall below the top rear mounting surface adapted to fixedly attach afirst elongate support member, a top front mounting surface of a secondwall spaced from the first wall adapted to fixedly attach to a secondelongate support member, and a front strut attachment interface belowthe top rear mounting surface and the top front mounting surface adaptedto pivotably attach a front strut of a front suspension system, whereinthe front strut attachment interface has a first hole in the first walland a second hole in the second, the first and second holes beingcoaxial, and wherein the bottom segment includes a bottom interfaceadapted to fixedly attach to a front lower suspension connection. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein the top segment and the bottom segmentare integral with each other and fabricated in one piece.
 17. The methodof claim 15, further comprising: fixedly attaching, via welding, the toprear mounting surface to the front upper frame connection; fixedlyattaching, via welding, the lower rear mounting surface to the firstelongate support member; fixedly attaching, via welding, the frontmounting surface to the second elongate support member; and fixedlyattaching, via welding, the bottom interface to the front lowersuspension connection.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprisingpivotally attaching the front strut to the front strut attachmentinterface.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the front uppersuspension connection has a height greater than a width and a thickness,and wherein the bottom interface has a width less than the width of thefront upper suspension connection at the top rear mounting surface. 20.The method of claim 15, wherein the first wall and the second wall areparallel to each other and perpendicular to the bottom interface.